Marable’s book provides fresh insights into Malcolm’s ever-evolving political and social views. Moreover, the book sparked controversy over passagesthat explored the late civil rights leader’s sexuality, claims that he over-exaggerated his criminal history and that the people who killed him are free and were never charged.

Many critics challenge many of Marable’s assertions. But he died soon after the book’s release, unable to defend his most shocking assessments of the former Nation of Islam leader. Though Marable is not alive to receive his Pulitzer Prize, his provocative and new perspective of Malcolm X will live on in academic debates, lecture halls and cafe table discussions around the world for the unforeseeable future.